Stylus-operating means



Jan. 5,1926. 1,568,612

' R. W. MORRISON STYLUS OPERATING MEANS Filed Nov. 1, 1920 4Sheets-Sheet 1 3 I Il llll n:

R. w. MoRRlsQN STYLUS OPERATING IBAS v Filed Nav. 1, 1920 4 sheets-snaai2 Jan. 5 1926.

Jan. 5 192s. 1,568,612

` R. W. MORRISON s'rYLus orsxwrmc lnxs I Filed Nov. 1, 1920 sheets-sneu4 'illustrating an Patented Jan. 5, 1926,

UNlTEe STATES;

P@ariela5T;v orme.

vSTY*LUS.-Oli-."ERATEING y Application led November 1.',19242ll Serial421,961.

To. all. whom #may concer/nf.:

Be it knownthat I, RALrH, WV. MORRI- soN, a citizen of the nited States,residing at Omaha, in the countyv of Douglas and State of Nebraska, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Stylus- Operating Means,of vwhich the .following is Va desc-rnton- This invention relates to animproved method of engaging the stylus of a phonogiaphy with itscooperating record whereby a more perfect and reliableV engagement ofthe stylus ywith every variation in the record is secured, even if thelatter be not maintained in a perfectly level position, and Withoutregard as to the manner in which 'the record may be produced. It;also'relates to an app aratus for carrying `said method into effec-t.

One way in which my improved method 'nay be carried into effect isillustrated in' United States Letters Patent hertofore issuedto meYdated June 22, 1920, numbered l 34t l85 y The object of my invention isto provide a method 'tol reliably and more perfectly engage stylus Withits cooperating record, 'than hasJ heretofore been possible, and also'to produce a device that will accomplish snch result at a` moderatecost, land which shall be durable. in its operation. l

To this end Iny invention consists in the novel method and apparatusherein described and set forth, and more particularly illustrated in thedrawings herewith presented, wherein like. reference characters indicatelike o rfcorresponding parts.

' In the drawings/ l iS a. side elevation of Certain Op: erating partsfor phonographs villustrating' one means of employing my improved mhgd;.l

iS a .similar .View Showing' a modi.-

7. i F1a-'3 ils Similar. View Partly in Sect-ien., illustratingmodification.; a Eis 4' is. bottominan View of the device shown ilf-LFieE; i'

Fig-"5' is a 'side elevation .a-rtly section,

Fig. 6 is a side elevation illustrating a form similar to that shown .inFig. 5., with the diaphragm directly uponjthe amplifying horn,eliminatingthe usual tone arm;

Figi. 7. is a similar-view to. that shown in Fig. k6,. yillustrating amodification of the form there shown; and

Fig. 8 is a side elevation partly in section, illustrating anothermannero-fm'ounting the stylus-bar,l and shown in connection with acylindrical record.

In 'the drawings, l, in Figs. l to 7 inclusive, indicates asubstantially horizontallyv supported record. The record may be rotatedin any usual or preferred manner (not shown) lIn the formshown in Fig. la sound-box of well lznovvn construction is supported upon ythe tone-arm3. 5, in the form. there illustrated, is a part sup-ported upon theinaroin of the soi'und-boxl provided with a counteiib-alancing bar 6pivotally connected 'to the part 5., as at 7 A vertical bar or link 8.is pivotally connected to the counterbalance bar 6, as. at 9, and vatits lower end, asy aty 10., pivotally supports 'the stylusbar l1?,-which is provided withthe usual or preferred cooperating needle adaptedto the particular type of record employed. The stylus-bar is connectedwith the diaphragm by means of a preferably flexible and suitablytensioned member rl2 which extends through thecounterbalance 6 Withouttouching it'. In the forni here shown, an electromagnet 13.isnpositioned beneath the record in substantial Vertical alignment withthe end of the stylus-bar 1l which acts as an armature in connectiontherewith, 14 indicating a source of electricity which may consist of adry battery suitably positioned in the Cabinet. As here .ShOfWIrth sie@Of the. magnet `to eoopera'tively draw the needle carredby the Stylusbararmature ini@ reliable engagcmcntwithe grooves @fthe re@- Ofrdf ltWilljalsc be Seen thatthe stylus-bar ll. acts. as alever with the powerapplied at the needle' end, the fulcrnrn at` the `engagement 10;, andtheWeight en the Connecting mem.- bel. 12,. and. thehun of the maffn'et maybe very 'delicately regulated by yadjusting the couhtcrlialance ha? .6L

In the form shown in F ig. 2, the stylus-bar 11 is shown pivotallyconnected between its ends upon the link 5 which as before is supportedupon the margin of the sound-boX. The end of the stylus-bar, as at 15,is extended beyond the pivotal support 16 and constitutes or carries thearmature for the niagnet 17 positioned above the armature. 14 indicatesthe electrical source as before. 'I'he magnet here is shown supported bya link or bar 1S depending from the tone-arm 3. As here shown thestylus-bar again constitutes a lever in which the power is applied at15, the fulcrum at the point 16, and the resistance or weight at theneedle e-nd of the bar.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the stylus-bar 11 is pivotally supportedbetween its ends, as at 19 (in Fig. 3), upon a bar 20 carried by amember 21 which is rotatablyengaged with a plate 22 carried by the arms23 (Fig. 4). connected to the casing of the sound-box. Suitableanti-friction devices are interposed between the pla-tes 21 and 22 inany preferred manner, or an equivalentconstruction may be employed whichwill permit the depending link 2O to freely rotate as the needle end ofthe stylus-bar changes its position upon the record. 12 here indicatesthe connecting member between the diaphragm and the stylus-bar, the saidmember extending through the supporting members 21 and 22.l withouttouching them as shown. 'Ihe rear end of the stylus-bar is extended, asat 23. in a manner somewhat similar to that shown in Fig. 2, and isprovided with an armature 24 which in the form shown is illustrated asthe segment of a circle. The magnet 25 has its cooperating ends formedto lie in a substantially parallel position to the outer plane of thearmature 24. The magnet is supported, as illustrated, by a link or bar26 which is suitably secured upon the tone-arm 3. In the preferred formthe relative distance between the magnet and its armature may beincreased or decreased in any prefe red manner. As shown in Figs. 3 and4, slotted openings 27 are formed in the support 26, screws orequivalent members 23 being positioned in said slots whereby the magnetmay be adjusted back and forth in relation to its armature. In additionto the armature being formed in the segment of a circle, as shown inFig. 4, it mayv also be formed in the same manner and with a transversecurvature upon its outerv face, indicated in Fig. 3, tending to equalizethe magnetic pull upon the armature in every position of the needle endof the stylus-bar. As here shown, again the stylus-bar coustitutes alever in which the poweris applied at the armature 24, the fulcrum atthe point 19. and the weight or resistance at the needle end upon therecord. The source of electricity is not shown in Figs, 3 or 4i butelectrical connections in various devices are well understood andrequire no further description.

As illustrated in Fig. 5, the same general form is shown as in Fig. 2,with the supporting means for the stylus-bar similar to that shown inFigs. 3 and 4. As here shown, the sound-box 29 is rigidly supported uponthe tone-arm 30, the stylus-bar 11 being supportedbetween its ends withthe rear end extended and provided with an armature 3l cooperating witha magnet 32 and 33 indicates the source of electrical energy. Thestylus-bar is permitted free movement upon its support, substantially asbefore described, the armature being of a length to permit the necessarymovement of the needle end of the stylus-bar.

In Figs. 6 and 7. a construction is shown in which a radical improvementis embodied. not found in the previous figures.

Referring to Fig. 6, 33a indicates the amplifier-horn encased within thecabinet and connected with the soundbox by a reduced portion 34,eliminating th'e tone-arm. 35 is the sound-box supported in avhorizontall position with the working face of the diaphragm upward. rlheanti-friction support 36, substantially as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, issupported upon the upper marginal edge of the sound-box, substantiallyas shown in Fig. 4, 11 is the stylus-bar pivotally supported at 37. Therear end of the stylus-bar is exi tended and provided with an armature38 coacting with a magnet 39 energized by a current from the source 40.

It will be noted that this arrangement is somewhat of a reversal of theforms shown in the other figures, in that the tone-arm is eliminated andthe stylus-bar is supported upon the bar 411 above the sound-box Thisarrangement produces a new and improved function in devices of thiskind. In the previous figures the weight of the stvlusbar iscontinuously supported by the diaphragm. Operative engagement of thestylus-bar and the diaphragm is essential when thc device is inoperation, in order to transmit the complete and perfect vibrationstransmitted by the record and generally no provision is 11i-ade torelieve it. In some instances7 at least, such continuous weight has atendency to alfect the resiliency of the diaphragm and its delicate andaccurato operation.

In the form shown in Figs. G and 7, thisis remedied in the followingmanner: There may be a slight play or movement allowed to H bar is thediaphragm from any undue strain by the pull ofthe magnet'. The weight ofthe stylus-'bar' is sufficient to normally hold it down to itslowerlimit, thereby relieving the diaphragm from straini by' reason ofits y engagement therewith, by the connecting mem-` ber shown in dottedlines in Fig. 6. Upon energizing the magnet by throwing on a switch, notshown, in the ordinary manner, the armature 3S is drawn upward or towardthe magnet, the opposite or needle end of the stylus-bar being supportedon the record. rlhis puts the necessary strain uponthe connecting memberand the diaphragm, continuing only during the operation of the device`and which is automatically released when the switch is reversed and thestyluspermitted to drop back to its normal position.

As shown in Fig. 7, the function and operation last described areretained. Acapped collar or enclosing member l42 enclosing thesound-box, magnet, armature, etc., and being formed with a horizontalslot 43, through which the stylus-bar 1l loosely extends, said slotbeing of a sufficient length to allow for the necessarymovement of theneedle end of the stylus-bar.

Fig. 8 illustrates another form of the device adapted to carry my methodinto eifect. As here shown, a cylindrical record 44 is employed, beingsupported and rotated in a well known manner, notl shown. 45 is theamplifier suitably supported` in the case and provided with a tone-arm46. Upon the upper end of the tone-arm and suitably supported thereon isa flexible and slightly eX- tensible member 47 supporting the soundbox48. The sound-boar is provided with a stylus-lever 49 supported upon thediaphragm and a bar 50 carried upon the outer margin of the sound-box.The connection of the stylus-bar 49 with the bar 50 as shown, is notpivotal. Theinnerend 51 of the stylus-bar is connected to the center ofthe diaphragm in the well known manner. Upon a supported arm 59., ispivotally supported at 53, a lever 54, having the outer end extended andoperatively engaged to control the pressure of the sound-box and itsconnected stylus upon the record, while the other end is extended beyondthe pivot and is provided with an armature 55 cooperating with a magnet56 energized by a source 57. As the magnet is energized the armature 55is drawn toward it, serving as a source of power, the fulcrum being at.53 and the weight of resistance at the upper end of lever 54. Thepressure is transmitted by reason of the flexible and extensible part 47to the sound-box, and thence through the stylus-lever to the needle inengagement with the record.

In the .form shown in Fig. 5, a stop 58 is .used to limit the upwardmovement of the armature and prevent it contacting: with the.`

magnet, which 'would cause it torlock and become 'inoperative for thetime being.

In the form-shown inl Figi 6 such stop is indicatedA at 58, a lower stop59'being provided, if desired, to limit the downward movement of the endoff the stylus-bar, although in the formy shownI have not found itnecessary to employ such a stop.

In the form shown in Fig. 7 a similar stop 58 is employed, as well as asimilar stop 59, while in Fig. 8 a stop is indicated at 58.

It will be understood that by the term magnet I wish to include amagnet,

whether permanent or energized by an electric current, although thelatter is preferable, owing to the convenience by which it can bemanipulated by a switch, as well as by suitable means for regulating thestrength of the current. The strength of the current may also beregulated by providing means to adjust the relative distance between themagnet and its armature, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4.

Having thus described my invention and various Ways in which it may beoperatively employed, it is obvious that other ways of employing it willoccur to those skilled in the art; hence I do not wish to be understoodas limiting myself in any way other than is indicated in the claimsappended hereto. f

WhatI claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a phonograph having a sound box supported in ahorizontal position, provided with a diaphragm arranged working faceupward, rotatable record-carrying means, and a magnet, of a 1 stylus-barsupported above said diaphragm to freely oscillate both vertically andhorizontally, one end ofthe stylus bar provided with record needlecarrying means and the other end provided with an armature below saidmagnet, and a connecting member between said diaphragm and stylus-bar.

2. The combinationL with a phonograph having a sound boX supported in ahorizontal position, provided with a diaphragm arranged working faceupward, rotatable record-carrying means, and a magnet, of a stylus barsupport above said diaphragm to permit said bar to freely oscillate bothvertically and horizontally and permitting a sight vertical movementbodily of the stylus bar thereon, one end of the stylus bar providedwith record needle carrying means and the other end provided with anarmature below saidinagnet, and a connecting member between ysaiddiaphragm and vstylus-bar.

3; The combination with a phonograph having a sound box supported in ahorizontal position, provided with a diaphragm arranged working faceupward, rotatable record-carrymg means, and a magnet, of a stylus barsupport above said diaphragm, a stylus bar arranged on said 'support to'freely7 oseillate both horizontally and Ver tically, means to permit aslight Vertical movement bodily of the stylus bar on the support and topositively stop the same at the point of its Working connection with thediaphragm, one end of the bar provided With record needle carrying meansand the other end provided with' an armature below said magnet, and aconnecting member between said diaphragm and stylus bar.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

RALPH 7. MORRISON

